The Japanese automaker hasn't revealed the new electric's specs, but since it is based on an existing model from another brand, we have some very good ideas as to what to expect.
Mazda Design Continues To Stun
This reveal only covers the outside, but what an outside it is. Mazda describes it as "the evolution and breakthrough of Mazda's 'Soul of Motion' design aesthetics." We say it is a wonderfully sleek SUV with some exquisite elements on the nose and the D-pillar air duct shape.
Just ignore that the face, especially the ultra-thin headlights, is a little bit Cadillac. When you look at it head-on, or from the side, this is 100 percent Mazda. It's only from a few angles that the resemblances to the other brand appear.
Mazda revealed the EZ-60 crossover in a new purple paint, and it's the latest in the automaker's series of excellent shades. It describes this one as "like the evening sky with stars blooming, or like violets blooming on the open plains, real and dreamy, mysterious and noble." Is that a little flowery? Yes. Can we argue? Not really.
What we will argue is Mazda's attempt to elevate it beyond simply transportation. Mazda China calls it "not only a means of transportation, but also a collectible work of art." Let's hope for Mazda's sake that it sells a little better than collectible levels.
The full reveal, including the interior, is set for April 23 at the Shanghai Auto Show. But since, like the EZ-6 sedan, it is based on a model from its Chinese partner Changan, we have some ideas as to the specs.
Changan's Deepal S07, the platform for this Mazda, delivers an 80-kWh battery and has a 214-horsepower electric motor mounted in the rear. The WLTP range is 295 miles. The EZ-6 has a bit more power, and its sleeker shape manages 345 miles.
For the new cabin, expect a design more like the EZ-6 (sold as the 6e in Europe). The larger and lower-mounted screen on that model eschews Mazda's rotary dial for touch operation. It also drops nearly all of the buttons in favor of touch operation.
There's still no word on price, or when or if it could join the EZ-6/6e in Europe. When it does it will likely be low-priced, as the EZ-6 sells for a little under $20,000 in China.
